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Local Special Olympics Coach Heads to U.A.E. For Summer Games Published on 03/06/2019 under News

A Northwoods Special Olympics coach should be en route to the United Arab Emirates for the upcoming games.

As we shared last week, Bonnie Kahn of Tomahawk was again selected to coach Team USA. Despite taking place in March, these are actually the summer games. They were moved up because of the heat during the typical August games.

Kahn is a part of a 300 plus member delegation with Team USA including more than 200 athletes. During our conversation last week, Kahn talked about some of the differences between the Special Olympics and the Traditional Games.

She noted that there are no country medal counts, and rather than the national anthems during the ceremonies, they play the Olympic Fanfare. This tradition dates back to Eunice Kennedy Shriver and her desire for unity in these games.

When asked how she would describe success for the games, Kahn paused to think, before answering, "making sure the athletes have a phenomenal world games experience."

Over the next week, those athletes will be acclimating, sightseeing, and training. The opening ceremonies are schedule for next week.

In Other News

Northwoods Schools Earn High Marks on District Report Cards

Published on 11/21/2024 under News It's report card time in the state of Wisconsin...not for students, but for the schools and school districts. The Department of Public Instruction released the annual report cards on Tuesday. A number of districts in the Northwoods earned high marks for their performance and improvements last school year with Tomahawk among the high achievers. The scores, based on spring testing, are handed out to both the districts and the schools within each. They are based on four categories: student achievement, closing gaps, district growth, and post secondary readiness. The numerical scores then translate into 5 grades ranging from failure to meet expectations to significantly exceeds expectations. Starting right here in Tomahawk, the district, as a whole, earned four stars, a mark of 'exceeds expectations.' That's a score the district has maintained for the past decade. Few other area districts achieved that mark, DC Everest and Prentice. The middle category, meets expectations is the most common. Local schools in that category include: Antigo, Rhinelander, Northland Pines, Prentice, Rib Lake, and Wausau. We'll continue to explore the report cards in the coming days, including a deeper look into Tomahawk specifically with scores in the elementary, middle, and high schools and the thoughts of district administrator Wendell Quesinberry.

Published on 11/21/2024 under News Thanksgiving is one week away, and a new survey shows prices in Wisconsin are down slightly from last year and and lower than the national average. The Wisconsin Farm Bureau released their annual Marketbasket survey Wednesday. Each year, they take an informal look at the prices of 15 popular food items commonly used to prepare a Thanksgiving meal. This includes everything from turkey and cranberries to butter and rolls. A sampling of stores around the state are used to get an average. This year's average for a ten person meal in Wisconsin came in at $57.61. That's about a dollar or 2.1% less than last year. Wisconsin Farm Bureau Spokesperson Cassie Sonnentag highlighted the abundance and diversity of agriculture in state as one of the factors allowing prices to remain below the national average, which this year is just over $58. For those looking to save a few dollars, experts recommend shopping around for deals, reassessing your menu and skip some of the less popular items, and take up guest offers to bring a dish to pass or their own beverages.

Published on 11/21/2024 under News According to an AP report, three Michigan hunters have died from heart attacks during their ongoing deer season which opened last week. With Wisconsin's opener in less than 48 hours, officials from Aspirus are encouraging hunters to monitor their symptoms. Dr. Marcus Sublette is an interventional cardiologist at Aspirus. He advises hunters to be realistic about their physical abilities. He says, "Listen to your body, rest when needed, and avoid unnecessary risks." Adding, "Overexertion can lead to exhaustion and serious heart health concerns." Many hunters will go from a sedentary lifestyle to a week of increased physical activity which can impact heart rates and blood pressure. This includes hauling gear to the stand, excited of bagging a deer, and removing your harvest from the field. Sublette recommends maintaining good heart health during the off-season such as regular exercise. It's also good to get sleep, eat a balanced diet and moderate alcohol intake. If any signs of a heart attack are experienced, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.

Published on 11/21/2024 under News According to the state Department of Transportation, there are more than 128,000 traffic crashes on Wisconsin roadways. Officials are reminding drivers to move over or slow down for emergency vehicles. This week has been set aside as Crash Responder Safety Week, it's part of a nationwide effort to raise awareness about the risks that these professionals face on the job. This includes EMS, law enforcement, fire, as well as towing and transportation services. DOT Secretary Kristina Boardman said. "We recognize all responders this week but our commitment to safety must be 24/7 on our roads." Over the past five years, 60 emergency responders working roadside in Wisconsin were injured after being struck by a vehicle. The Wisconsin State Patrol is taking part in the campaign as their law of the month is focused on the requirement that motorists either move over a lane or slow down when approaching a vehicle with flashing emergency lights. State Patrol Superintendent Tim Carnahan notes that crash responders jobs carry significant risk, as they are often working along traffic at highway speeds. He says, "We ask drivers to be respectful and move over to create a safety zone for crash responders. Small actions can save lives."

Published on 11/21/2024 under News Officials have provided an update on a fatal crash in Oneida County Monday afternoon. That two vehicle collision happened on Highway 17 in the Town of Pine Lake. Based on their initial investigation, they believe a southbound SUV crossed over the center-line and struck an oncoming vehicle. The driver of the southbound vehicle died from his injuries. He has now been identified as 60 year old Mark Carlson of Woodbury, Minnesota. The other driver was airlifted to a Wausau hospital for treatment of serious injuries. No update on their condition was provided. The crash remains under investigation._____ One person is dead, another seriously injured following a crash in Oneida County Monday afternoon. According to the Oneida County Sheriff's Office, responders were paged to a two vehicle collision on Highway 17, just south of Mud Lake Road, in the Town of Pine Lake. The call came in at shortly after 1pm. Upon arrival, deputies found a head-on collision with the driver of the southbound vehicle deceased. Their name wasn't immediately released. The driver of the northbound vehicle was airlifted to Wausau for treatment of serious injuries. No update on their condition was provided. The two drivers were the lone occupants of their vehicles. Based on their initial investigation, which included a statement from the northbound operator, it appears the southbound vehicle had crossed over the center line. Highway 17 was closed and detoured for several hours after the crash, which remains under investigation.

Published on 11/20/2024 under News As the seasons shift, the familiar sound of the Salvation Army Bell Ringers will soon fill the Northwoods once more. Here in Tomahawk, the local Salvation Army chapter will kickoff their holiday bell ringing efforts this week. Ahead of the launch we spoke with organizers Tom Kelly and Terry Derleth. The bell ringing effort is their main source of funding, and 86 cents for every dollar donated stays in the community it's collected. Each year they aim for around $50,000 during the holiday ringing campaign. Kelly noted those funds are split between their temporary emergency voucher program and the Happy Kids Backpack program. That provides supplemental for local students experiencing food insecurity after school and on weekends. As for the kettle campaign, they're always looking for new ringers. Kelly says they've been fortunate to have a groups and businesses volunteer to ring as a team. That includes local banks, realty offices, and churches. Derleth added that ringing can be a rewarding way to spend a few hours ahead of the holidays. This year's Honorary Chair is Pastor Julie from Grace Lutheran Church. They'll be back at their two traditional locations, Trig's and downtown post office. For those interested call 630-667-3250 or email win.semmler@gmail.com

Published on 11/20/2024 under News With Thanksgiving right around the corner, experts anticipate record holiday travel numbers once again. Triple A recently released their annual Thanksgiving travel forecast which overlaps with the state deer hunting season. They expect more than 1.6 million Wisconsinites will travel 50 miles or more next week. That would be the highest on record. Most will be by road, as auto travel in Wisconsin is expected to top 1.4 million over the Thanksgiving holiday. Some good news for those travelers, as gas prices are down slightly from last year with the state average just under $3. As for those planning their travel to avoid traffic, the busiest times are expected next Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons, as well as the Sunday afternoon following Thanksgiving. According to their report, the best time for quiet roads is actually on Thanksgiving Day. For this year's forecast, Triple A included two additional days to better reflect recent holiday travel trends. It now includes Tuesday through the following Monday.

Published on 11/20/2024 under News With the gun deer hunt just four days away, the DNR is reminding hunters to dress for safety by wearing the appropriate gear for visibility. A state law requiring the use of blaze orange is one of a number of factors attributed to a drop in hunting related incidents. In addition to the more traditional blaze orange, a 2016 Wisconsin law allows the use of fluorescent pink, as well. According to the DNR, state law requires at least 50% coverage of orange or pink from the waist up. They note that includes any hats or hoods. Even if you're not hunting, the DNR encourages other outdoor recreationists to sport blaze orange or pink to ensure safety for everyone enjoying Wisconsin's natural resources. And it's also a good idea for any pets to have a high visibility vest as well to avoid any accidents.

Published on 11/20/2024 under News From a vehicle slide-off to a dead battery, many Wisconsin motorists will become stranded at some point. That's why it's important to carry a winter emergency kit in your vehicle. It's Winter Weather Awareness Week, and today we're looking about some useful items you should keep in your vehicle during the winter months to remain safe and comfortable until you're back on the road. The cold can put a strain on your battery, so its a good idea to keep a set of jumper cables in the car. Portable jumping units are also handy, but make sure to regularly check that it's fully charged. Ready Wisconsin also recommends a tow rope, a small shovel, and either sand or kitty litter to provide traction if you become stuck. But sometimes you may simply have to wait for help. That's when items like an extra set of winter clothing, blankets, snacks, a cell charger, and flashlights are handy. Lincoln County Emergency Management has a full list of items to consider on their website.

Published on 11/20/2024 under News With Thanksgiving right around the corner, experts anticipate record holiday travel numbers once again. Triple A recently released their annual Thanksgiving travel forecast which overlaps with the state deer hunting season. They expect more than 1.6 million Wisconsinites will travel 50 miles or more next week. That would be the highest on record. Most will be by road, as auto travel in Wisconsin is expected to top 1.4 million over the Thanksgiving holiday. Some good news for those travelers, as gas prices are down slightly from last year with the state average just under $3. For this year's forecast, Triple A included two additional days to better reflect recent holiday travel trends. It now includes Tuesday through the following Monday. As for those planning their travel to avoid traffic, the busiest times are expected next Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons, as well as the Sunday afternoon following Thanksgiving. According to their report, the best time for quiet roads is actually on Thanksgiving Day.

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